*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.
In the Grip of Twilight
By:
Olivia Tannis Moore
Chapter Sixty Seven:
Set Backs
Once we were deep within the tunnels, we began to travel faster. Up until this point, I had navigated the tunnels with no problem; there were numerous landmarks that I remembered from before as we journeyed through both the wide and narrow passageways. But eventually, to my horror, we came upon a split in the tunnels that I didn't recognize.
I hesitated there before the two tunnels for a moment, remembering what Demetri had said about letting the venom guide me. It was time to put his advice to the test. I had just closed my eyes and taken a deep breath when I was startled by someone barking an order, "Secure the tunnels! Let no one pass through either coming or going," followed by the rhythmic stomp of boots.
My eyes flew open. It was Caius' voice. But which direction were his voice and the soldier's footsteps coming from? The acoustics in the passageways made it impossible for me to locate where the danger was coming from, or whether it was heading in our direction.
We huddled there at the junction of the two tunnels, silently paralyzed by my lack of decision and action. I wanted to be certain we took the correct tunnel but Caius' echoing voice seemed to surround me. I felt useless as I stood there trying to discern if Caius was in the tunnel we would need to take to escape.
Carlisle gripped my shoulder with one hand as the other kept a white knuckled grip on Thaddeus' book. I felt the tension building—Emmett crouched, ready to unleash his fury and Jasper widened his stance. Rosalie's arms tensed and her hands tighten into fists by her side. Esme's jaw was clenched. They all were preparing to fight if it came down to it. We had to get the book out, no matter what the cost.
I turned to Emmett, thinking perhaps his superior hunting skills would help in this situation. I made the necessary gestures. He seemed to concentrate for a moment, then he pointed to the left tunnel and we quickly ducked into the right tunnel. I was praying this was the way to the trap door—otherwise we would have to fight our way to the other tunnel. I could hear the guard's footsteps back at the mouth of the tunnel, sealing it off.
We had traveled but a short distance when another fork appeared. I struck out for the right tunnel again, but stopped short. In my veins, something quivered persistently and almost painfully. It was the wrong way—the venom was indeed my guide. My heart leaped as I ushered the Cullens through the left tunnel.
And after several similar junctions in the tunnels, I led the Cullens to the exact location of the secret trap door. We were going to make it to the forest.
**
Even though Ira had led Demetri and I in circles the first time we'd traveled to Muriel's house, I remarkably had no problem navigating the forest this time. And with a great sense of accomplishment, I led the Cullens straight to the clearing where the marigolds lined the pathway to Muriel's tiny cottage. Vaguely, I wondered how it could possibly hold all of us…
The door opened at once and Muriel's slight form burst onto the porch to greet us. "Isabella!" she called, waving her hand. She bounded from the porch steps onto the flowered walkway. Overhead, the rays of sunlight filtering through the tree boughs illuminated her loose hair and turning it to bronze, and where her skin was exposed beneath her white blouse, her skin sparkled. It wasn't the dazzling sparkle of the vampire's skin, but rather subtle, like sunlight reflecting off water. It took me by surprise since I'd only seen her at night, and by the low light of the kerosene lamp at that.
"Oh, Halfling…" she said as she hugged me, the thin bones in her hands gripping me with eagerness. I was at once reminded of why I trusted this Lycan elder—it was gut instinct from the very beginning—she radiated her honesty and integrity.
I inhaled the warm scent of cinnamon that had caught in her hair. "It's good to see you Muriel," I murmured against her shoulder.
When she let me go, she turned to Carlisle and stood there for a few awkward seconds before saying in her usual direct manner, "Carlisle Cullen, I welcome you and your family into my home." She took Carlisle's free hand into both of hers. "May you always find sanctuary here and amongst the Lycans. We know of your family— and the few others that make their home over in the new land. And we know of your purity of diet…it must've been a strain."
Esme looked up at her husband with pride as Carlisle smiled warmly and shook his head. "To forget that I was once human myself…and lose all that humanity had instilled in me…now that would be a strain."
His answer seemed to please Muriel. She returned his smile with a humble one of her own. Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper looked at one another and then to Muriel in what appeared to be a mingling of curiosity and respect.
"Won't you come inside?" she invited us. "I'm sure Edward will be delighted that you're all here safely." She then stood to the side and shook each hand as they made their way onto the small porch and passed through the doorway.
"That's funny…" Muriel said, watching the Cullens disappear into the house. "I'm sure I heard Edward say he had two sisters…"
My head whipped around. "Alice…" I gasped. "Alice isn't here?"
For the first time since I'd met her, Muriel seemed confused. "Alice? But Halfling…only Demetri and Edward were here before you arrived."
My mouth gaped open. "Oh, no…" The implications of what Muriel had just told me left me rattled. Was Alice still at the castle? Was she lost in the forest? I felt the prickle of tears sting my eyes: Jasper would be devastated…
I started for the door.
"Isabella…there's something else." she said, stopping me before I entered the house. "And I figure you will be affected the most by it."
I turned, yet again alarmed by her words.
"Demetri has solved the burden of proving Edward's death to the Volturi. But it wasn't without sacrifice…some short-term complications."
I blanched. "What kind of complications? Is he alright?" My heart was pounding in my ears as I waited for Muriel to respond.
The strength and conviction in her voice calmed me somewhat. "He'll be fine…but there will be a recovery period."
***
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